Our Team
The leadership team at Glarea
Jasveen Bunwait
Principal & Teacher

Jasveen graduated from the American Montessori Internationale Primary Teaching program and also holds her certification in Early Childhood Education. She has also completed her Bachelor's Degree with a concentration in Sociology of Education. An educator for eight years she has worked extensively within the primary school setting. Jasveen has a strong passion for education, children, and building community. Her educational philosophy is rooted in giving children a choice and a voice. Jasveen believes that allowing children to make their own choices through modeling examples, teachable moments, and tangible lessons helps to build the true self.
Jasveen is a strong advocate for equality in education, a strong school community, and creating comfort, not fear, in classrooms. Jasveen truly believes that excellence in academics, positive personal and social development, and helping to build character in each child is a collective effort. Jasveen strongly believes the foundation for each child is built upon the teacher and parent communication. Jasveen believes that the continuum and continuity of learning lie in uplifting and illuminating each child’s gifts. Allowing children to position themselves in a state of wonder; rather than placing them into a fixed expectation.
Through open communication and an adaptable approach, Jasveen believes that each student at Glarea is destined for success!
Karen Mahay
Teacher

Hi! My name is Karen Mahay and I am very excited to be a part of the Glarea team! From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a teacher, thanks to the amazing teachers I had during my years of learning. After seeing how dedicated and caring my elementary teachers were, I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
I completed my Associate’s Degree in Arts at Douglas College, and furthered my studies at Simon Fraser University by obtaining my Bachelor of Arts Degree with a specialization in Sociology. I also have a certificate in Early Childhood Education. I have been working in the childcare and education field for over 9 years, with experience working with children aged 3-12.
I believe student success begins when students feel comfortable and safe in their learning environment. It is important to build a positive and caring relationship with each student and their families so they feel confident in their school community.
Students are not the only ones who learn from educators. I strongly believe teachers can and do learn a lot from their students. Therefore, I make it a priority to teach what students are interested in, as that is when they learn best. I have experience working with a variety of educational philosophies – Reggio Emilia, inquiry and STEM based learning as well as play based learning. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and dog Neko. I am an avid crafter and enjoy baking!
Raman Boporai
Teacher

Raman always aspired to become a child educator, and in doing so, inspiring children continues to inevitably fostered this personal passion. Raman’s educational background includes General Studies with a concentration in Psychology. She also holds an Early Childhood Education Certificate. Throughout the last six years of her career, she has had excellent opportunities to work with diverse students.
Raman has worked in-depth with the new curriculum to design hands-on learning experiences that explore each student’s unique learning style through relevant and purposeful lessons. Her instructional strategies are crafted with each student’s interests and needs in mind while keeping the learners at the centre. It has been important for Raman to engage students in inquiry-based lessons that encourage students to be curious and explore their passions.
Additionally, Raman believes that school should be a safe and welcoming environment where youth learn and develop social skills to survive in the outside world and teachers aid in materializing many of these concepts. Teachers are a steppingstone for their students and play a vital role in moulding their early lives. Raman’s empathetic nature and ability to quickly connect with students ensure all students feel comfortable and emotionally supported.
Raman prides herself on being a lifelong learner; she wholeheartedly believes to “never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.” She considers it imperative to learn from children and grow and flourish with them; this is one of the many reasons that fuel her passion for education. One of her aspirations is to pursue a Master’s of Education in the near future.
Outside of teaching, Raman enjoys spending time with her young daughter and family. She enjoys travelling, biking, and cooking in her leisure time.
Tina Zhu
Teacher - Mandarin

As a native Mandarin speaker, Tina has been teaching Mandarin for over four years. Her students have ranged from kindergarten to grade eleven in both classroom and one-on-one settings. She held a Teacher’s Certificate in China before moving to Vancouver and holds a Certificate of Mandarin Standard Pronunciation. Through her experience, she has become highly experienced in developing student centred teaching strategies specific to learning Mandarin. She believes that curiosity is the key to learning and that creative lesson plans with interactive activities are crucial to successful teaching. She loves to incorporate interesting facts about the Chinese language and culture into her lessons and to introduce hands-on art projects to inspire students’ passion. She loves to encourage students and to see the joy in their eyes as they learn to understand the personal satisfaction that accompanies the learning of a new language. On a personal level, she loves nature and going hiking in her leisure time.
our board of directors
Nadia Irshād
Founder

Nadia is passionate about her industry as a change agent for women, children and families. She is drawn to education and childcare through her own personal story. She finds passion in human connection, civic activism and more specifically causes that relate to women. Nadia’s interests include mobilizing women and girls by confronting cultural barriers that limit and harm women in closed communities. Words and writing is her passion, and she spends her free time writing to bring voice to untold stories, to encourage people who need help reach out and put a spotlight on real issues.
Daniela Fisher
Founder

Daniela was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She completed high school in Argentina and migrated to Canada after graduating and opened Tango Cafe, an import company focused on Argentinian products, including food and a retail store. Her role at Tango included heading up Marketing, Sales and Management. Daniela went on to study TV and Film Production and worked in the film industry for over 15 years. Then after completing her real estate license she returned to Sales and Marketing overseeing a large residential project and also supporting residential sales for Lark Group for many years.
Charity, gratitude and giving have always been an important part of her life. After the birth of her first child Daniela focused on family, she now has two children, while maintaining her extensive support of the community through The Breakfast Club, Drive for the Cure, The Humane Society and Ballet BC. Sport has always been a mainstay in her life; She is a competitive Ballroom and Latin Dance Champion who trains in her free time and travels the world to compete and holds a Black Belt in Kickboxing Martial Arts. Daniela is also the founder of Naturally Given a company that is focused on increasing positive energy within our communities through ancient healing methods such as; Energy healing, Aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies, Crystal, Light, and Sound therapy and handmade products.
Kirk Fisher

Kirk’s educational background includes a Degree in Engineering, an MBA and he is a P.Eng. He has extensive experience in corporate management, project planning, business operations, investment and strategic business growth. He specializes in development, construction, business operations and medical technologies and works closely with clinical, university, and business sector partners. He is Senior Vice President of the Lark Group and the co-founder and chief executive officer for HealthTech Connex Inc.
Lark focuses on institutional and care development and is currently developing and building the Health and Technology District at Surrey Memorial Hospital, among other projects. This development includes over 1.5 million square feet of office, retail and care facilities. Lark has owned and operated two triple sheet streamlined ice arena facilities for over 30 years. One in Surrey, BC and one in Kirkland, Quebec, under the name Excellent Ice. The two facilities host the largest youth spring hockey leagues in Western and Eastern Canada respectively.
Lark’s goal through Healthtech Connex is to bring Neurological measurement and improvement across the world and specifically into all of Lark’s businesses, communities and partners. HTC looks forward to integrating health technology at Glarea and Excellent Ice locations to monitor and improve neurological wellness.
Kirk is a proud Surrey native. He has been a lifeguard and swim coach at Crescent Beach Marina in his youth, and still lives and works in the city he grew up in. Almost twenty years ago, Kirk and his peers founded ‘A Drive for A Cure’. Proceeds go towards enhancing the health, well-being, and quality of life for those struggling with cancer or neurological illnesses. Kirk is passionate about construction as a foundation to healthy spaces, where people connect and are purposeful, and exemplifies his company’s commitment to; Boldly Elevate People. Glarea is a part of the Lark legacy and extends its impact to young people through their health facilities, ice arenas and education programs.
our board of advisors
Peter Merrill

Peter founded The Hill Academy in Vaughan ON in 2006. The school offers a unique platform that balances academics, athletics, and personal development. The Academy complies with and exceeds government and academic expectations, and employs sound business practices. The enrolment has grown from 15 student athletes to 210 with a post secondary placement rate of 100%. It has been a breeding ground for professional hockey, lacrosse and olympic players. Peter has a Bachelor’s of Physical Education, a Master’s of Arts and has been involved in coaching in University and Professional Levels. Peter has been involved in technology for people with disabilities.
“l have a sincere belief in the value of sport and physical literacy as key ingredients in the academic and personal development of our youth.”
Dr. Ryan
D’Arcy
D’Arcy

Dr. D’Arcy’s scientific work in neuroscience gained international attention when he was part of the NRC research team that developed an advanced virtual reality-based neurosurgical simulation system that helped brain surgeon Dr. David Clarke remove a brain tumour on a patient in 2009. In 2012, he was highlighted as a “Kickass Canadian” amongst other prominent Canadian leader and he has been awarded a Public Service Award of Excellence, The National Research Council's Research Breakthrough of the Year, and the Discovery Award for Innovation. His team at the NeuroTech Laboratory has been awarded the International Global Best Award in STEM in 2016 (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and his HealthTech Connex Inc. team won a 2018 Surrey Business Excellence Award from the Surrey Board of Trade.